Public attitudes toward geological disposal of carbon dioxide in Canada

Geological disposal of carbon dioxide (GDC) is being considered for a significant role in Canada's climate change strategy, but public support for the technology is unclear. To address this knowledge gap, two focus groups and a national survey were conducted to investigate the public's perceptions of the benefits and risks of GDC, the likely determinants of public opinion, and overall support for the use of GDC in Canada. The results showed that Canadians are slightly supportive of GDC development in Canada, perceive the technology as having a net positive impact on the environment, and believe that GDC is less risky than normal oil and gas industry operations, nuclear power, or coal-burning power plants. A majority of Canadians would likely use GDC in a climate change strategy, although it will have to be used in combination with energy efficiency and alternative energy technologies in order to retain public support.